Sometimes someone says it just right

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…

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Kal-El and me

… 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.

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Peking Duck

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…

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Birthdays and decades

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…

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Fake memory meme

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…

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On science fiction and sci-fi

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.

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Physics and Wicca can mix!

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…

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