August 31, 2008
Kansas: Carry On Wayward Son
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
August 30, 2008
Grace Jones: Pull Up To The Bumper
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Wind up
Will's politics are unsound. Details to follow. And that.*
* Not linking anything in particular there. Just saying.
August 29, 2008
Adventures in publishing
Now my sidebar has disappeared and I do not have time this morning to look under the hood. Yay, internet!
Update: All working now. Sweet.
The Bangles: Going Down To Liverpool
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
August 28, 2008
Pretty machine
The Summer Glau Chronicles season 2 starts September 8; Agent Bedhead has details. Also, pictures.
August 27, 2008
The Fixx: Secret Separation
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
August 26, 2008
The English Beat: Mirror in the Bathroom
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Hewlett Packard and Staples
Still suck. It takes seven to ten business days for parts to arrive once they have got round to ordering them. That was on August 18.
Tick tick tick.
August 25, 2008
ISS Training Ltd.
Wealthy benefactors of the Flea might consider sponsoring me in a foot surveillance course in London. As vacations go, it sounds much more interesting to me than lying around on a beach.
August 23, 2008
Let me answer that question with a head-butt
Dr Kristin Aune, a sociologist at the University of Derby, has authored a report claiming Buffy the Vampire Slayer is "slaying" (lols) church attendance among women. Nothing the Church of England has done -- or has failed to do -- enters into it, apparently.
Also, chicks dig vampires.
XS vs. Potap: Ti pomnish
The words "Ukrainian" and "RnB" have been made to rhyme. Ish. Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
August 22, 2008
Report from Tbilisi
Michael J. Totten doing the reporting American deciders won't do. This is the first time the word "Cossack" has been dusted off for the contingency. If the hat fits.
Toronto Star readers approve. Remember: Canada is "looked up to" as a "peacekeeper" and an "honest broker". Isn't that nice? It's nice to be nice.
* Nuclear assassination and steppe banditry have an effect on the tenor of the times. Or the Telegraph, as the case may be. "Ivan from Moscow, the hotel guest from hell."
It's not until paragraph six that NATO, a 26-nation alliance with 900 million people and nearly half of world GDP, unsheathes its mighty sword, boldly declaring "Russian military action" -- not aggression, not invasion, not even incursion, but "action" -- to be "inconsistent with its peacekeeping role."
* Writing for the Guardian (WTF?), Martin Kettle argues Russia's invasion to crush the Prague Spring began the slow death of Labour as a party.
Women of CVN 76 USS Ronald Reagan
With a tip of the hat to the music of Shania Twain. Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Related: Where there is a sea there are pirates. May God help us if the United States is no longer willing or capable of upholding the law; Canadians have no clue how the global trade so many of sneer at is made possible. Closer to the problems at hand -- and to the harsher realities of life -- Indians, Koreans and Japanese do not take our current world historical situation for granted. The following suggests eastern democracies no longer feel confident in the ability of the United States Navy to patrol the high seas (and, happily, has introduced me to the useful term "monthend").
The last, best hope for mankind may be India. If Starfleet turns out to be fueled by curry and Bollywood musicals I am going to call it a result.
Sometimes I believe that this less material life is our truer life, and that our vain presence on the terraqueous globe is itself the secondary or merely virtual phenomenon
McSweeney's presents selections from H.P. Lovecraft's brief tenure as a Whitman's Sampler Copywriter. As the title of this post suggests, Lovecraft is difficult to parody adequately. I have no doubt that to watch him choose from a box of chocolates would have been terrifying opened a yawning dreamscape of abyssal dimension made tolerable only by the inadequacy of a simian nervous system to correlate that which it cannot apprehend.
You must not think me mad when I tell you what I found below the thin shell of chocolate used to disguise this bonbon's true face. Yes! Hidden beneath its rich exterior is a hideously moist cherry cordial! What deranged architect could have engineered this non-Euclidean aberration? I dare not speculate.
Directly related: Dark Republican magic (via Five Feet of Fury).
More geography: The New York Post reports on H.P. Lovecraft's Brooklyn apartment, the soul of which he described as being "something unwholesome, something furtive, something vast lying subterraneanly in obnoxious slumber." The current tenant? A children's books marketer; she has been having vivid dreams.
August 21, 2008
Tuned to a dead channel
Zoe Ebb considers a Neuromancer teaser poster.
Indeed. Sadly so too does the threat of craptastic casting: Hayden Christensen as “Cage”... no thanks.
By non-sucking contrast is the trailer for Book of Lies starring as it does Joss Whedon and Christopher Hitchens. Cainites of the world, take note.
Hewlett Packard customer service sucks (possibly, blows)
Canadian Flea-readers considering an HP laptop - or a gold-plated warranty from Staples - should be advised the floor room sales pitch about repair times in the event of a problem is gold-plated bullshit. When I bought the computer I was told HP's service time was excellent and that repairs averaged three days; this was an important factor in my decision not only to buy the computer but to shell out for a three-year warranty.
I dropped off my laptop for repair August 5; two full days after it broke down... Staples would not take the machine without a case number and their customer service could not assign a case number due to being closed Sundays and holiday Mondays. Two trips to Staples and three very polite phone calls later and all the customer service people can tell me is HP now has the laptop and as of August 18 has ordered parts for repair.
No expression of regret and no apology, not even an expression of chagrin for being employed by tossers. And certainly no offer of compensation for my weeks of lost work on my music production machine. Hewlett Packard: You suck. You too Staples.
August 20, 2008
Zhanna Friske: Ya Bila
Nothing against Russians per se, you understand. Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Update: Oops! Had the wrong video linked. Here is Viagra's Popytka. After a second listen it becomes very catchy.
Bondmobile
The Ford Ka is to feature in the next Bond film.
I agree this is not a supercar but Olga surely puts a positive spin on the vehicle. Then there is my favourite Ford Ka advertisement.
Unrelated but self-explanatory: Kate Beckinsale in a bikini.
August 19, 2008
AnasteZia: Volchitsa
File this one under bread and circuses. Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Vaguely on topic: Another reason to support Olympians if not the Peking Olympiad... WWTDD? helpfully posts - so not safe for work - nude images of Sweden's Sara Boberg. While I generally avoid profanity here, I make no pretensions to the Flea being a family publication. Even so, I recognize this is an entirely gratuitous link.* The fact Boberg is a member of the Swedish crossbow team means I could not quite forgive myself for not posting it.
Compare and contrast with Football Under Cover. I realize Scandinavian libertinism and Iran's improv version of The Handmaid's Tale are not the only two moral orders on offer. But of the two it is obvious which is more respectful of the liberty and dignity of women.
* (cough)How to game your "Alexa traffic rank"(/cough) (cough)site analytics(/cough) Oh hell, "Google PageRank". "Increase your traffic". "Sara Boberg nude" "nude Olympians" Etc. Etc.
Update on a closely related topic: Viz the search key phrase, "womens beach volleyball".
August 18, 2008
Imperial fleet invades San Francisco
That's no moon. From the comments:
Also, the case for the Empire.
Related: It is a known fact that most English people are on the side of the Empire. Come to think of it, some of the American pilots have been giving me the evil eye around the hanger, like.
August 16, 2008
Technical difficulties
My August 16 posts seem to have become entangled with my August 15 posts. Will update as I figure out what is going on...
Update: This is going to take some thinking... In the meantime, please enjoy my entangled posts and my currently non-entangled Anonymous post from today.
CRTC approves Canadian porn channel
Must have 50% domestic porn. YJCMTSU.
Nothing is so unbelievable that oratory cannot make it acceptable
Ace hosts a great moment in public debate; worth your time if only to watch a grown "man" crying toward the end.
The destruction of the universities will only come to an end once employers realize exactly how low the bar has been set for advanced qualifications. It might also help if parents realized just what their money is buying. My only hope for the future is the inventiveness with which university undergraduates selectively disregard the expertise of their professors.
August 15, 2008
Official 2008 Olympics Song: Please Ignore The Communism
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Michael Coren
I want to thank the Michael Coren Show for the opportunity to participate in yesterday's blogger's round-table featuring Kathy Shaidle, Bob Tarantino and Jason Cherniak. Mr. Coren and his production team were all extraordinarily gracious and welcoming. I was delighted to learn of common interests in chocolate and lively conversation.
Update: Enquiring minds want to know about the ring I was wearing; that being the Pagan Burial Signet Ring by Alchemy Gothic. Mine has much finer detail than is suggested by the early '90s vintage catalogue photo.
Gene genie
A study published in the journal Behavioural Neuroscience suggests variations in the COMT gene may account for different reactions to horror films. Some people scream while others - for example, me - laugh (hat tip to Agent Bedhead).
The scientists found that those carrying two copies of it were significantly more startled by frightening images than others. By contrast, those who had one copy of the gene and one copy of another version were able to keep their emotions in check far more readily.
I am going to go out on a limb here. Many people react to disturbing images by blaming themselves or those nearest to them for the horror; by attempting to make the images stop by denial, conspiracy theory or surrender.
And some of us develop a cold rage and a determination to make certain nothing like it ever happens again. People with our genetic variant are called "sane".
August 14, 2008
Bee Gees: Nights on Broadway
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
You know you need time off when...
... you almost go to sleep in the dentist's chair waiting for a cavity to be filled. It is the only moment I have had to myself - and finding myself with no other pressing responsibilities - for some weeks. Still, better than the alternative.
Related: If you're here, who's home disappointing your parents?
Unrelated, and one of the advantages of keeping busy: Kathy Shaidle, Bob Tarantino, Jason Cherniak and I are guests on the Michael Coren Show tonight, August 14.
Update: We are taping this afternoon, I believe the show airs this evening.
August 13, 2008
Mary Margaret O'Hara: I Don't Care
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
August 12, 2008
Melodies bring memories that linger in my heart
A BBC news team reporting from Georgia came under (a not terribly effective) attack by a Russian warplane. Ricky bin Ricardo offered the following comment at Rantburg:*
Not to worry. George Brown has issued a strongly worded statement as the Russians overrun Georgia.
* Thanks to Angelweb for pointing out my garbled code, now repaired.
Update: "Meanwhile, the anti-war left take to the streets in the thousands to condemn the imperialist aggressors. Any moment now."
Combichrist: Without Emotions
Lest anyone imagine there is never any actual dancing involved: Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Related: Exterminate!
We ain't heavy
Writing for The Torch, Babbling Brooks cites Lew MacKenzie on Canada's ersatz heavy lift role in Afghanistan, another $300m for the Russians (what extraordinary timing we have) and what is most probably the last word on NATO.
Bin Laden though the West was a paper tiger; he was not far wrong. Perhaps he was mistaken to think there is something remaining we might identify as "the West".
August 11, 2008
August 09, 2008
America is not a place
It is difficult to kill an American because America is a dream. An idea.
With a grateful tip of the hat Mr. Bowers from an American born in the wrong place.
August 08, 2008
The Cars: Moving in Stereo
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.*
* You can actually dance to this one. Or swim.
August 07, 2008
Grimethorpe Colliery Band: Knight Templar
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
August 06, 2008
Posh's proletarian past
Sweet as she is, I never imagined Victoria Beckham to be frightfully frightfully; that accent will not cut glass. But it is important to post this news of Posh genealogy if only to irritate Will (hat tip to Agent Bedhead).
Pfaender, you say? Pfascinating.
The Best Heavy Metal Songs Based on Fantasy Novels
Best top ten list ever.
After the jump, check out a few of my favorite heavy metal songs inspired by fantasy novels.
Potentially more contentious is the Top 50 Hottest Sci-Fi Girls of All-Time. Chacun à son goût and that. For example, the image used for No. 49 could be found in a book available to Grade 7 students at J.H. Putman junior high; I remember it vividly and would have rated Ripley much more highly.
Casting Virginia Hey as as the first true James Bond villainess is an intriguing idea. And it is difficult to argue with their choice for No. 1. Missing from the list: Jenny Agutter as Jessica 6.
August 05, 2008
Horizonally enabled
Far be it from me to take issue with the guys at Ace becoming metros concerned about their waistlines; it is a function of age. Also, as Gabriel Malor points out, physics.
Ace is an Atkins enthusiast, apparently. For me, it is has just been a question of moving the body a bit more while putting a little less food in the body over time.
Just as well as I have a television appearance to contend with presently. Kathy Shaidle, Bob Tarantino, Jason Cherniak and I are guests on the Michael Coren Show, August 14. I have enough to worry about avoiding a human rights complaint without inflicting too much Flea upon Canadian viewers.
August 04, 2008
It is always the quiet ones
It turns out I was too quick to blame Methodism for a recent stabbing and beheading incident on the TransCanada Highway; it is, after all, only a tiny minority of Methodists - and the writings of their most sacred scrolls - that consecrate such behaviour.
Judging by the reported mutilation and flesh-eating, Badger practiced the old religion. They used to call it "going Wendigo".
Flea-readers are urged to use caution in reading the linked AP piece. The above details are far less gruesome than reportage on Canada's Facebook response to this atrocity. Though 2000 does sound like a whole lot of wall posts.
Take both pills; see what happens
Find out Which Movie Hero Are You at LiquidGeneration.com!
Via Agent Bedhead who is Xena or something.
Literary tattoos
Inspired by the Telegraph, John Stoehr believes a trend for literary tattoos is underway.
Which says more about his preconceptions than it does about ink enthusiasts. As for me, the letters "John" and "3:16" tattooed across the knuckles are sufficient literary allusion to get the point across.
Zombie Girl: The Darkness
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.
Top 13 Vampire Babes
Heckler Spray's attempt to list the top thirteen vampire babes is an admirable if ultimately misguided exercise. My ardour for Kate Beckinsale is unswerving and second place is most probably hers to keep. But Anne Parillaud should have taken the top spot; no contest (via Agent Bedhead).
Tangentially related: The more convincingly argued seven biggest *sshole computers in science fiction.
August 02, 2008
The moment a man sets his thoughts down on paper, however secretly, he is in a sense writing for publication
"Only one recording of Raymond Chandler's speaking voice survives, a BBC interview conducted with Chandler in 1958 by none other than Ian Fleming." Miskatonic.org hosts it here. This via Ace, who observes.
Especially Katee Sackhoff
...
Kevin Smith moderated an hour long panel for SCI FI Channel's original series Battlestar Galactica on July 26 at Comic-Con International in San Diego. The panel featured stars Tricia Helfer, James Callis, Michael Trucco and Katee Sackhoff and executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick.
Katee Sackhoff likes it when the Galactica fires its guns. She thinks it's neat. Just saying.
Related: Hot chicks with guns on tv.
Combichrist: This Sh*t Will F*ck You Up
"Some industrial dance styles are similar to psy-trance dance styles. Both look as though they're in a forest with many wondrous animals. The rivet-head just happens to be stomping on them."
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance (nsfw lyrics).
自由万歳
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Kongô, equipped with the state-of-the-art Aegis missile defense system, launched the Standard Missile 3 (SM3) interceptor missile that hit the target (ballistic missile),12/17/2007; with soundtrack.
Also, note to China: This is not the Royal Navy. Think very carefully before waking these people up.
Related: Making Russian commercial shipping a hard target for latter day Barbary pirates. Note to the pirates: These are Russians, not the United States Supreme Court. They do not care about your "rights".
August 01, 2008
A major incident
No word on the identity of the suspected maniac person of mania. If I guess he is a Methodist do I win a prize?
"He calmly walked up to the front (of the bus) with (the victim's) head in his hand and the knife and then dropped the head in front of us," Caton said, adding he believes the suspect later returned to the back of the bus and was seen later "taunting police with the head in his hand out the window."
Caton said the suspect appeared calm.
"What struck me, it was like he was at the beach or something," he said.
Comments closed due to the obvious.
Kate has video. Warning: Repeated use of the word "buddy". Not so much of the words "I tried to stop it."
Revamped
Lost Boys: The Tribe: Quite possibly the worst film ever made. And not in a good way. I admit to some hyperbole - I have seen worse - but nothing that quite so thoroughly violated my teen years. In short, it sucked.
I will concede Autumn Reeser is quite fetching so silver lining and that.
Totally and completely unrelated result of researching this post: Jennifer Love Hewitt is really hot when wearing transparent dress.
The value of science fiction
Nine legendary authors present their ideas on why SF is important to readers and what it teaches them. Poul Anderson, Jack Williamson, John Brunner, Harlan Ellison, Clifford Simak, Frederik Pohl, Gordon Dickson, Damon Knight and Isaac Asimov are fascinating to me more for their self-presentation than they are for their (arguably banal) opinions.
Related: The teaser poster for Terminator: Salvation.
Tracy Chapman & BB King: The Thrill Has Gone
Now is the time at the Flea when we dance.