Year: 2005

About a year ago, my brother Wally first launched his website, http://www.wallydavid.com, which featured samples of his lovely nature still life photography. I plugged it here on my website, and Wally looked on in wonder as the hits on his website suddenly started going through the stratosphere. He was very impressed by this. I hate to say it, but even at the age of forty-nine, there is something in me that gets a kick out of impressing my kid brother.

Well, he’s relaunched the website, and it looks ten times better and is twenty times more functional.

So if you like photography, like nature, or just know what it’s like to be impressive to a sibling, please check out http://www.wallydavid.com

Thanks.

PAD

So many people keep asking me about trying to get their hands on the third book of the Centauri Trilogy, “Out of the Darkness,” I just thought I’d mention someone has one up for auction on ebay.

It’s a fascinating study in how NOT to list something, because the words “Babylon 5” and “Centauri” appear nowhere in the header. So anyone looking under those would miss it entirely. I’ve seen used book dealers asking sixty bucks for this, but in this instance–with one day and five hours to go–it’s only up to $7.19.

Understand, I don’t get anything out of this, nor do I know the seller. But in the past couple months I must have had close to thirty inquiries about the book, so I just figured I’d put out a broad alert.

This should be interesting.

For those interested, I will be on Fanboyradio.com tonight at 7PM EST.

PAD

People are asking me why I haven’t commented on Bush having selected What’s Her Name for the high court.

Honestly, I hadn’t before because I knew nothing about her, other than that she’s a Bushtush (someone whose lips are permanently curved into the shape of Bush’s buttocks).

But I’ve come to realize that her appointment signals something: That, despite all previous appearances to the contrary, George W. Bush really IS capable of learning from history.

Why? Because previous conservative presidents have endeavored to control the court by appointing judges with a long, proud history of conservative rulings. And then, to their vast annoyance, their appointees wound up being far more liberal on the bench than expected.

So Bush, who’s never seen a separation of power that he didn’t want to obliterate in favor of executive branch control, came up with a simple answer: Appoint a Bushtush. Doesn’t matter that she’s not a judge. Doesn’t matter that she has no record to speak of (indeed, that’s a plus.) All that matters is that, for as long as he’s sucking oxygen, George W. Bush knows he’s going to be able to pick up the phone, call What’s Her Name, and get her to do what he wants. Her agenda will lockstep match his.

And thus does Bush yet again act in a manner contrary to Constitutional intent.

Ðámņ these activist presidents.

PAD

Caught a showing of “Inherit the Wind” on cable. It is both amazing, and amazingly depressing, how timely the subject matter of that film and play is. As Spencer Tracy speaks passionately of a time when narrow-minded religious dogma will actually cause progress to be reversed, one considers that people in power are opposed to everything from stem cell research to a woman’s right to choose to global warming to…yes…Darwin’s theory.

Meantime creationists are trying to sneak Genesis back into the schoolroom through the notion of Intelligent Design, trying to position it as being as equally valid as Darwin, when of course all they’re really trying to do is put the Bible back in the classroom.

To paraphrase Douglas Adams, progress is an illusion…and human progress doubly so.

PAD

(PS–Uh, guys…please don’t start telling me that the Scopes Monkey Trial was a set up by the ACLU and that local businessmen put Scopes up to it and that he probably didn’t even actually teach evolution. I know all that. None of it detracts from the fact that “Inherit the Wind” is a brilliant drama in its own right with a lot to say to modern thinking…or lack thereof.)

There is much discussion over on newsarama.com about Joe Q’s announcing ten writers at Marvel as being “the Terrific Ten,” slated to get all manner of additional support and push to carry them to “the next level.” And some fans are voicing indignation that I’m not on the list (Priest’s name is also mentioned repeatedly.)

Never fear. I tell you this in the strictest confidence. In fact, this is so secret that ONLY YOU are seeing it. Yes, you. Through groundbreaking technology, this post is being made with a special firewall so that only you, (your name goes here), is actually reading this posting. Everyone else is seeing a photograph of my youngest daughter, Caroline, playing with a puppy. In fact, if you’re at work right now, it’d be best if you said, “Awwwwww…” just to cover your tracks in case someone is listening.

The reason I am not part of the Terrific Ten is because I’ve been assigned to a different group: The Subtle Seven. (We were originally going to be the Secret Six, but that’s trademarked DC, plus we picked up one extra guy when the Terrific Ten was cutback from the Excellent Eleven due to budget constraints.)

The Subtle Seven is a group of seven writers whose job is to keep a low profile. Stay off the radar. Make the other guys–who are good, I’ll grant you–look even better by not distracting from them.

You may ask, okay, but the Terrific Ten get publicity. What’s the Subtle Seven getting out of it?

Cookies.

Each week, we each get a shipment of two dozen chocolate chip cookies. Joe bakes them himself. Comes in a designer tin with little pictures of Marvel characters on it. It’s really nice.

Unfortunately, the non-disclosure agreement I’ve signed precludes me from telling you the other members of the Seven. I mean, how subtle would it be if you KNEW who was on the list? Besides, if I told you, I’d have to–you know–kill you. Which I’d hate to do, and I’d probably wind up tossing my cookies…which would be kind of a shame ’cause Joe works so hard to bake them.

So…the Subtle Seven. Watch for us, whoever the hëll we are. And for God’s sake, keep it under your hat.

Say it with me: “Awwwwww…”

PAD

Hi all-
The play I have been working on opens tonight and will run the next couple of weekends. It is a really good price for a New York show and you can eat and drink while watching the show. Almost like having theater in your dining room.
Information can be found at
http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/115475
or
http://unyyc.org/
which is the offical site of the company.

Kath
Wife, Mother, Stage Manager, Puppeteer