On KQED: Fresh Air on Thomas Frank and his recent book, "The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule".

1. When Bikehood was in Flower - cool collection of neat early-era cycling in America, and worldwide.

1.1 Stories of such prominent cycle proponents like: The Hertfordshire emigre Thomas Stevens, with enlightening tales of vaulting short streams ( Read more... )

Really, Ian McDonald's latest novel just about defies description. It is multifaceted, with parallel narratives, several cultural introductions that takes no prisoners, with a confusing interweaving denouement that necessitates re-reading - all in all, a familiar experiences to River of Gods readers.

The book is cinematic, borrowing elements from ( Read more... )

Observation 1: I have sweated out an extraordinary quantity of moisture today (at a guess, from my drying cycling outfit, pile of gym clothes, and my wicking skin - 0.8-1.0L). I really need to drink more water.

Observation 2: You know what happens when an actor is applauded for his role in a sci-fi film? Pretty soon, they think they can start ( Read more... )

The 4 hour-became-5.5 hour tune-up of my car gave me an opportunity to burn time. So between Peter's Cafe (great!) and TK Noodles (not so great!), I caught The Simpsons Movie.

Slate's review, NYTimes' review, Guardian's reviewThey pretty much cover it, but I would add some of the following ( Read more... )

So, upon my LJ friends' recommendation, echoed by two local friends' recommendations, I went ahead and bought the DVD to watch the film. As Ray put it, "you're going to want to own it ( Read more... )

Again, the appalling nature of SF Chronicle's book reviews are revealed:

1. More Stereotype Lit (really, there should be a genre for this) - particularly put off by the broad generalisation of "(Ever notice that no parallel sense of consanguinity exists between lesbians and straight men?)" What-what?! To the degree that one can compare these ( Read more... )

Poll Barbarella Remade

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Barbarella, intergalactic mercenary from AD40,000, a heroine whose weaponsplay is possibly less lethal than her indefatigable sexual powers, questing for Durand Durand, battling the Matmos under the city of Sogo.

Now that the film will get the Rodriguez treatment these 40 years later, who should play the iconic role? Who can bring together ( Read more... )

1. Whoa! Parthenogenic sharks! Biology is weird.

1.1 EDIT: Plus from the Sci-Fi File - Radiation-metabolising fungi

What was that theory called, pansporia? My goodness, if something as complex as fungi can thrive on that, anything is possible through space.

2. More poor behaviour by UN peacekeepers in the Congo...rearmament, for gold ( Read more... )

1. Flight there - surprisingly smooth, it reminded me how often I travel in winter, with its violently bumpy comparison. One slight exception was the short hop from Frankfurt to Milano, flown in a 737, over windrushed Alps, with a crazed Bushpilot at the stick. The relative friendliness of the Bavarian Lufthansa flight attendants was offset by the ( Read more... )

1. Novel: The City, Not Long After - overall, a thoroughly enjoyable book, and perfect for the length of flights involved. Pat Murphy caught the mood of San Francisco's creative madness correctly, and set the city itself as a character in her post-apocalyptic setting. Think 12 Monkeys without the time-travel, more artists, and a simple bilateral ( Read more... )