Sadly, I was assassinated by a grenade.

I've just played a computer game called Hidden Agenda, in which the fictional Latin American country--"Chimerica"--had recently experienced a revolution deposing the corrupt dictator, Farsante, and his cadre. I was the new president ( Read more... )

Last night I dreamed I and a random soap opera character were involved in a particularly convoluted government conspiracy (which, of course, made perfect sense at the time). As we attempted to escape without being detected, we suddenly heard muffled blasts and were shot--he in the leg and I in the upper chest ( Read more... )

After centuries (no, really--centuries) of rejections, two of my stories have been accepted for publication in the last four weeks. _Neo-Opsis_ has purchased "Proxy Servers"; it is scheduled to appear in issue 13. And then yesterday, I learned that "Carnival Comes to Town" will be appearing in the charity anthology _Black Box_ ( Read more... )

First let me say I'm extremely relieved she's well. Poor little dog. Since the liver surgery, she's not been quite the same--cognitively or behaviorally. I love her as I always have, but it is true ( Read more... )

I see that Ice by Vladimir Sorokin is now available in English. Unfortunately, The New York Times doesn't make it sound very appealing.

Sorokin, if you remember, is the notorious author of Goluboe Salo. While searching to see if that particular book had yet been translated, I came across this amusing paragraph in Владимир Сорокин" . . . On June 3 ( Read more... )

When I watch or read things, many times I can't be quite as objective as I might be once a bit of time has passed. I tend to allow myself to become immersed in the story or emotion, words or images. So, of course, my opinion may change regarding the following. Though I suspect not.

The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) is absolutely the most ( Read more... )

Hmm. The Husband was off on a business trip today (which he does at least once a month), so I brought him to the airport. As I exited the passenger seat to tell him goodbye and enter the driver's seat, my eyes met those of a man casually standing outside the international terminal. He returned my look with slitted eyes. A quick appraisal of him, ( Read more... )

Urban exploration is the act of exploring areas normally closed off or untravelled; e.g., abandoned buildings (old hospitals or sanatoriums, missile silos, churches, etc), old train tunnels, utility tunnels, sewers, and so forth ( Read more... )

I've only just heard the news.

I raise a glass in honor and farewell to the inimitable, irreplaceable Markus Wolf.

Goodbye, my dear Mischa, one of the finest formers of destinies.

And of history itself.

So, as I wrote previously, I caved and bought tickets to the Decemberists.

Last Saturday night I went to see them.

( The Experience )