Year: 2004

So– whad’ja think?

We went to the Magic Kingdom yesterday and got in around 11:40 AM. By noon, they’d reached capacity and closed the park. Today they closed the Magic Kingdom at 9:30 AM. Fortunately we were at Epcot. We’re doing MGM tomorrow but, boy, we’re gonna make sure to get there early.

Took caroline today to the Seas, where they have a “Finding Nemo” exhibit. She watched the real life versions of the fish swimming around in tanks, and she was breathlessly saying, “Nemo! Dorrie!” She had a great time, spending close to two hours there before collapsing in sheer blissful exhaustion.

PAD

With house sitter firmly in place to keep the house lived in, the David family hit the road for an East Coast excursion.

Right now we’re down in Atlanta, so that Kath can visit with her parents and siblings. The monkey wrench in the works is that Caroline developed a cast of the croup last night, for which there’s not a ton that can be done short of helping her ride out the cough with everything from cool air to sitting in the bathroom with the shower going so she can breathe in the steam (fortunately, being a middle-aged Jew, a steam room is more or less my natural habitat.)

Fortunately the doctor says it’s a minor case and she should be in good shape within a few days. The 27th, we’ll be heading down to Disney where we’ll be spending New Years. Since we’re anticipating crowds there, we’ll be going lots of places we don’t ordinarily go (Disney miniature golf, anyone?)

PAD

I’m getting a lot of questions regarding the following comment made by a web reviewer in regards to “After the Fall”:

“Word has it that this is the beginning of the end of the NEW FRONTIER
series, and that Peter David is preparing to retire the series after the end of this three-part arc.”

Why the heck do people say “Word has it” without asking me?

First of all, it’s not my series to “retire.” It’s owned by Paramount and S&S. If I decided I didn’t want to write any more, Pocket would be entirely within its rights to hire–I dunno–my second coming, Keith DeCandido, and have HIM write it. For that matter, if Pocket decides they don’t want to continue it, I’ve nothing to say about it.

While it’s true that there’s no contract beyond the current three book arc, that means nothing. Pocket has never offered me a new contract when I’m still working under the previous one. Once I’ve turned in the last two books that are covered under the current six-book contract, THEN we’ll see what’s what. But if Pocket wants to continue the series and continue it with me, I’m perfectly game.

I mean, geez, think, people. Why would I create a major jumping on point in “After the Fall” if I were planning to jump off two books later?

PAD

Went to Ariel’s school concert last night. Unlike other school systems where specifics of the season are being meticulously expunged, here they actually sing Christmas songs (along with, of all things, a medley from “Fiddler.”) I find that preferable. I think inclusive is always preferable to exclusive. What kind of message are schools sending kids if they effectively stick their heads in the sand and try to ignore all signs of the holidays.

Also, as a Jew, I have to say I don’t understand how it’s possible for the “true meaning” of Christmas to be lost. Yesterday, as I went to the post office to buy a $5 money order and encountered fifteen people on line, each juggling half a dozen packages…or when a local strip mall where I buy groceries had no parking places because it was choked with holiday buyers…or when street after street, normally easy driving, was clogged with traffic…in short, when even the simplest errand took forever, I cannot tell you the number of times I shouted, “Jeeeeesus Chriiiiist.”

PAD

The Scientist :: OFAC reverses embargo ruling

OFAC reverses embargo ruling
Decision allows US publishers to edit manuscripts from Cuba, Iran, and Sudan | By John Dudley Miller

In a reversal of almost all of the controversial prohibitions enacted in September 2003 that led to a lawsuit against it by a coalition of US publishers 3 months ago, the Treasury Department reauthorized American authors and publishers to collaborate with and edit the scientific and other manuscripts of citizens in trade-embargoed countries yesterday (December 15).

The Treasury Department said it acted “to further promote the free flow of information around the world and to ensure the voices of dissidents and others living in Cuba, Iran, and Sudan are heard,” according to an anonymous Treasury official speaking through a spokesperson.

But Edward Davis, one of the publishers’ attorneys, said yesterday that the publishers are not yet ready to drop their lawsuit, filed September 27, because the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), by granting a general license, continues to assert that it can regulate informational materials. The plaintiffs argue that OFAC has no such authority.

“I think it’s nice that the government has recognized the validity of our position for freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” said Marc Brodsky, president of the American Institute of Physics and executive council chair of the American Association of Publishers Professional and Scholarly Publishers Division, one of the plaintiffs. “It’s just a shame that we had to spend so much effort and time and money to go to court to get their attention, despite the fact we went to them ahead of time.”

In January 2002, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) stopped publishing manuscripts from embargoed-country scientists after officials at Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) told the organization informally that publishing and providing other services to members in embargoed nations might be illegal. In September 2003, it formally banned all editing of IEEE manuscripts, even correcting spelling and punctuation errors.

Last April, OFAC reauthorized IEEE—but not American publishers in general—to edit manuscripts from embargoed nations and to provide some services to them. Cecelia Jankowski, IEEE’s managing director of regional activities, welcomed yesterday’s ruling, saying, “It further confirms our interpretation of the April ruling that enabled IEEE to resume all publishing activity.”

Just last week, I was at Penn Station, chatting with Tom DeFalco. All unknowing, I asked how his wife was. “Not good,” said Tom, then paused a moment and said, “Cancer.” Caught flatfooted and having to rush to make my train, I asked if they were treating it. Tom kind of half nodded in a noncommittal fashion, and I said I’d call for an update and find out what was going on.

Tom didn’t let on how bad it was, because Pat DeFalco passed away a few days later. My condolences go out to Tom and his family on the tragic loss of this sweet woman whom I met on several occasions. Tom has requested that if people are so inclined, they should make donations in Pat’s name to the American Cancer Society.

PAD