In a couple of recent posts, I made some lengthy statements about marketing and media. I just heard Bill Maher say something that succinctly captures my viewpoint:"Television is not a medium of entertainment [anymore]. It's a medium of advertising that occasionally entertains."I don't agree with everything Bill Maher says, especially about religion, but I whole-heartedly concur with…
… or "The rise and fall of comic books in my life."
I became a comic-book fan when I was about seven years old. My weekly allowance was a quarter; for that amount of money I could buy two (yes, two!) comics and still have a penny change.
My 30th birthday took place at one of the threshold times in my life. I had recently read The Spiral Dance, and was in the process of looking for a Wiccan group. Six weeks later I would attend my first Wicca class/ritual, and my life would be forever changed.That change hadn't happened yet, but I was aware…
I said that I would tell this story, and here I keep that promise.For my 20th birthday party, I held an all-day event at my house. Good food, good games, good people (not in that order, of course).I'm a workman-like cook. I can't come up with much that's new or innovative, but I can follow a recipe. …
Last Wednesday was my birthday; I'm now 49. If you forgot, it's OK; birthdays are my affectation, and I don't expect everyone else to have the enthusiasm I do.I spent the evening in the company of friends, playing Munchkin. Afterwards my best friend stayed for a while and we hung out. He did some measurements and sketches…
From catbirdgirl :If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, (even if we don't speak often or ever) please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me.It can be anything you want - good or bad - BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.When you're finished, post…
I must be one of the few Wiccans who’s blogging on this day, yet is not discussing Samhain. I’ve read some other Samhain-related blog posts, and found that those commentators spoke far more eloquently on the subject that I could. I have a spare hour, so instead I’m writing on another topic that interests me.
I grew up on science fiction. The first science-fiction book I ever read was The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron; it was given to me by my third-grade teacher. I’ve been a reader of science fiction ever since.
I reached adolescence on fantasy. I don’t recall the first "fantasy" novel I read per se, but I remember the first fantasy work of any significance to me: The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. I don’t remember who first recommended the work to me, but I remember reading it when I was 14. I’ve been a reader of fantasy ever since.
Today I had the chance to go over some slides from a presentation that a colleague was going to make the Physics Advisory Committee at Fermilab. It was an important presentation, and it was vital to make a good impression. (I should mention that I was not the only one to look over these slides; everyone from…
As I mention in my profile, I read Tarot cards at the NY Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, NY. The Faire also hosts a Halloween haunted-house event at the same site, the Forest of Fear. I read Tarot there as well.
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As I mentioned in my previous post, I visited the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire this past weekend. As promised, no 13-part saga this time.The weather predictions were correct: it was wet and rainy both days I was there. Many acts were cancelled or reduced. But H's shows went on. What a trouper!I'm normally found at the NY Ren…