Don’t Ask, Just Do!
I keep getting email requests from people about this, so let me set the record straight: You do not have to ask me if you can link to my blog. You can just do it. You have no obligation to ask. The only time you need to ask me about linking to something is if you want to use my content. Otherwise, don’t ask. If you like my blog and want to link to it, then do it. That is all.
40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing
Today is apparently the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. If that isn’t something worthy of mentioning on this blog, then I don’t know what is. Obviously I was not alive when this event occurred, but I have fond memories of watching live broadcasts of the shuttles heading off into space when I was a kid, and thus have the utmost respect for the fine folks who set foot, for the first time in human history, on the surface of our little moon. If you have forgotten their names, they are: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Each had a part to play in getting mankind to the Moon and back, and thank goodness it was a success. As Armstrong said: That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind. The whole thing is pretty amazing, if you ask me. We might look back now and think of it as relatively trivial compared to our ridiculously technology-oriented lives, but Apollo 11 is to space and flight as the printing press is to books. NASA and Apollo 11 have played a crucial role in changing the United States and much of the world for the better. That’s something to acknowledge and be proud of.So, remember the day we put someone on the moon. It’s important. And to the fine men and women of NASA, I salute you! If you’re interested in learning more about this historic event, check out NASA’s webpage for the 40th anniversary. There are all sorts of goodies there.
Guest Posts Wanted (Again)
I’m moving to Florida in a couple weeks and am looking for a whole load of guest posts to keep things interesting around here while I’m on the road. What am I looking for? Anything discussing science fiction, fantasy, writing, or related subjects, whether it be a top 10 list or a rant about something happening in publishing. I’m not overly picky about subject matter. If you’d like to contribute a post or two, let me know here, via a Twitter message to @shaunduke, or via email at arconna[at]yahoo[dot]com. Thanks,Shaun
Calling New Readers and Lurkers
I watch my subscriber number fairly closely–an obsessive habit, for sure. So when I notice my subscriber numbers jumping up by quite a bit, I have to wonder who all these new people are. That’s where this post comes in. I know there are about sixty new readers out there, plus a whole bunch of others who have never commented here before. Now’s the time to come out of the woodworks! If you’re a fairly new subscriber, or someone that’s been around for a while, let me know in the comments who you are, where you discovered my blog (if you remember), what you like, or don’t like, etc. Just let me know you’re alive and tell me something about yourself. Don’t be shy. I don’t bite!
Happy 4th of July
Today is a big day in U.S. history. Most people probably have no clue why it’s such a big day except through vague remembrances from school. Still, this is probably the only day that truly matters in the U.S. as it marks our independence from those evil Brits, who have since become our good buddies. In any case, hopefully everyone has a great 4th. Make sure to give your respects to our troops, alive, retired, and dead, for without them we would not be here.And don’t forget to explode something, because that’s sort of what this day is about, if you break it down into its simplest form. Anywho!
RIP: Michael Jackson
According to preliminary reports, Michael Jackson has passed away at the age of 50 as a result of cardiac arrest. No other information other than that, really. Update: MSNBC and the LA Times are reporting he has passed away as well. Update 2: Mercury News has a bit more information about where the news of Jackson’s death came from. Update 3: More information from LA Times. Jackson was in a deep coma and died not too long afterwards. This is perhaps one of the most shocking deaths in a while. He was only 50 years old and one of my favorite musicians. Say what you will about his personal life, his weirdness, his plastic surgery, etc., the guy knew how to be an entertainer. You don’t even have to have liked his music or his style to understand what he did almost single-handedly to music. And there has never been someone with as much charisma and power on stage as Michael Jackson–though one could certainly argue that Elvis and Jackson were on equal planes. In any case, it is unfortunate that Mr. Jackson has left us. He had, apparently, made plans for, a comeback tour in London and now we will never see him in action again. He will be sorely missed, but remembered for the power of his music and his performances. To say a proper goodbye, I would love to embed a video of my favorite Michael Jackson song, but unfortunately the feature has been disabled on YouTube. So, I’ll just link you to the music video for Thriller, one of his most iconic works of musical art. Goodbye Michael, and may you find piece wherever you are now.