PeterDavid.net

So there we were in our “on-camera” seats at the PBA Geico open, on the right hand side of the lane, about four rows back. Understand, it costs extra money to get the on-camera seats. Last year, though, we had seats all the way at the far end, down by the pins, and friends and family who tuned in to see us said they never did. So this year I figured, y’know what, spend the extra money, Ariel will get a kick out of it, you only go around once.

So who did the cameramen spend most of the time focusing on when they weren’t close-up on the pros?

Four blondes in tank tops holding up individual letters that spelled “ESPN.” Where were they sitting? In the cheap seats at the far end down by the pins.

Guess I should have seen that one coming.

The games themselves ranged from blowouts (the guy we were rooting for, Jeff Lizzi, got blown out of the water by about sixty pins in the semi-finals) to squeakers (rookie Chris Johnson was cruising as he opened with six strikes. Then he left a 7-10 split and failed to pick up either pin with his second ball…a costly error when he wound up losing the match by one stick.) The winner was Pat Healey Jr., for those who keep track of such things.

Frickin’ blondes. Bet they had more fun, too.

PAD

Is common sense more common than the common cold? And are either found to be more common in England’s House of Commons? And is it true that the sentence, “Carmen Miranda had a common veranda?” reads exactly the same forwards and backwards if you’re insane? Or illiterate? Or both?

Spent a good chunk of the day at the Big Apple Convention, meeting and greeting fans and signing a ton of comics. Everyone was gracious and friendly, and quite a few had nice things to say about both “Captain Marvel” and, most gratifyingly (considering where it stands in the sales rankings) “Fallen Angel.” Also quite a few said they read this blog, so a big hello to all who do. It was great to see you all.

Won’t be at the convention tomorrow. As noted earlier, if you want to see me, put on ESPN between 1 and 2:30 PM and maybe you’ll spot us at the bowling competition. We’ll probably be wearing our “Pirates of the Caribbean” shirts.

PAD

In which “Charmed” gives some charming answers while raising questions, and “Alias” seeks the help of a bad mother (watch your mouth)…

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If you should let sleeping dogs lie, should dogs who are awake be compelled to tell the truth?

PAD

As aggressive as mankind is about not learning from his mistakes, there is at least one valuable lesson that’s been learned insofar as shameful behavior by Americans go.

When soldiers returned from Vietnam, they were treated like each and every one was a war criminal. Remember? “Baby killers!” people would shout at them. Many soldiers who come back from wars have to deal with the difficult readjustment, but it was far tougher for the Vietnam vets because they returned to such a hostile environment. It was disgraceful.

Now, no matter how unpopular the war in Iraq may get (and that’s what we have, make no mistake), it seems that one theme is justly recurring: Support the troops. At least now there’s an understanding that these guys are just trying to do an impossible job under impossible conditions. Although there may be strident disagreement as to why we’re in Iraq and whether we should be or not, let’s be thankful that at least there’s–as near as I can tell–a total lack of condemnation of the people who are over there and consistent support for them when they return.

And if Bush was going to visit them, as he did, certainly the manner in which he did was the eminently smart way to go about it. In general I’m not a big fan of the press being lied to, but in this instance, advertising his dropping into a war zone would have been madness.

PAD

It’s not whether you win or lose…it’s whether *I* win or lose.

PAD

At the Star Trek on-line chat last night, I invited folks who had questions and such to swing by this here website. So I’m doing another “What’cha Wanna Know?” thread.

It’s real simple. Post your questions (not trivia questions, okay, wise guys?) and over the next few days I’ll post replies right here in this thread directly to your questions. However, please: One question to a person, okay? Last time we did this, a number of people asked multiple questions and it took forever. So one to a customer.

And for you newcomers, welcome to the monkey house.

PAD

(Reminder: Please use spoiler text where appropriate.)

OKAY, ALL FINISHED. I BUMPED IT UP TO THE TOP OF THE BLOG SO, JUST IN CASE FOLKS FORGOT IT WAS HERE, THEY CAN READ UP ON IT.

If someone who was constipated expressed his condition by saying he couldn’t give a shit, might he be misdiagnosed as clinically depressed?

Think about it.

PAD

As a writer, I tend to edit the world. I see misuses or misspellings of words whether I want to or not. When I see, for instance, Rich Johnston–in his latest “Lying in the Gutters”–use the phrase “reign it in” instead of the correct “rein it in,” I just shake my head and sigh.

But every so often I notice stuff that really just drives me nuts. For instance, in checking my PO box, I received a flier from the Bayport Library system. What do they advertise as a movie they’re going to be running this month?

“Oaklahoma!”

Now if they’d advertised “South Pasific” or “Carosel,” it would merely be annoying. But “Oklahoma!” features a title song that SPELLS THE DAMNED TITLE.

Oh brother.

PAD

“Never look a gift horse in the mouth” is actually pretty poor advice. Had the citizens of Troy looked in the mouth of the gift horse they were receiving, they’d have seen the Greeks hiding within, matters would have gone very differently, and they wouldn’t have wound up having to relocate their city to upstate New York. Which leads us to wonder: Was the Trojan Horse ribbed for her pleasure?

Think about it.

PAD

On Tuesday, November 25th, at 6 PM EST, 3 PM Pacific Time, I will be doing a live chat in the Star Trek book club section of www.startrek.com. All are welcome to attend.

PAD

[Note: questions can be mailed in advance to bookclub@startrek.com.]

Guys…I decided to just add these late night codas to the blog because I thought it would be funny. Like these bizarre words of wisdom you used to see on some stations before they signed off. And the reason I don’t allow replies is because I was afraid that you folks would either analyze them to pieces or try to show how clever you are by one-upping them, thereby sucking what humor there was out of them until there was nothing left.

So instead you’re either doing it on other threads or deluging me with e-mail about them.

They’re random silly thoughts. Read them, ponder them, stick them in as sig. lines, but leave it at that, would’ja, please?

PAD

PS–THAT INCLUDES THE #*@* WEBMASTER!!

Sales on “Stone and Anvil,” the latest hardcover “New Frontier” novel, have been so strong that Pocket has gone back to press. So thank you to all the NF readers for such a strong show of support.

PAD

Before some man put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp, the ram in the rama lama ding dong, the bop in the bop shoo bop shoo bop, and the dip in the dip da dip da dip, was it only bah bah, a lama ding dong, shoo shoo, and da da? If so, what exactly inspired him? And was it possibly the same individual who wrote the book of love, let the dogs out, got some gangsta shit, and was in my room last night?

PAD

[Webmaster's note: Well, he had to do something after he retired from playing first base all these years... I mean, what was he supposed to do, get an accredited doctorate?]

Well, everyone has an off night. Unfortunately I picked the night of the Pro-Am to have it. One decent game of 198, the rest…echhh. I have never had that many damned splits in my life.

Ariel fared better, with a 106 on her first game and two games both at 167, which is pretty good for a 12 year old.

Remember, next Sunday at 1 PM is the PBA Tournament on ESPN, and we’ll be in the audience. We’ll probably be waving a sign that says, “Got Wood?”

PAD

Can you be betwixt without being between? If not, why not? If so, what’s the purpose of being both? Should you be required to make a choice, or is there a philosophical conflict?

Think about it.

PAD

To the best of my recollection…I was only seven at the time…I was in school when I learned that President Kennedy had been shot and killed.

The main thing I recall is that I’d never seen adults cry until that point. My teachers were crying and when I got home, my folks were crying. I was more upset by that than by Kennedy’s death, because the presidency, death…these were ephemera to me. But adults crying…that scared me. I didn’t know they did such things.

When Johnson was elected, I remember watching the inauguration and asking when they would shoot him. My parents were appalled by the question. They didn’t understand that I knew Lincoln had been shot and that Kennedy had been shot. So I just figured that was SOP. You’re a president until someone kills you, at which point a new one is brought in. Oh yeah. I was a real Quiz Kid.

When I grew up, I did an internship at the Gannett newspaper chain. When the anniversary of the assassination came around, out of curiosity I checked the newspapers’ editorials before JFK’s death and the day after. I found exactly what I thought I would. The day before, the editorials were scathing. Critical of JFK, his policies, his every decision. The day after he was shot…180 degree turn. He was a president with vision, he was going to carry the country to greatness, etc. I just found that…interesting.

PAD

In which “Smallville” has a fine episode damaged by TMI, “Angel” displays an impressive package, and “Tru Calling” is confronted by the Fab Five…all dead.

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In which we give the demon baby of “Charmed” a tongue lashing, decide not to veto “West Wing,” and–in a one time appearance in these parts, vote “Survivor” off the island.

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